Supreme Lord: I can extract everything! Chapter 5 Alice Zenovia

"Sorry, but you are not exactly my type," Michael apologized.

He wasn't truly feeling regretful, yet the striking woman didn't appear to be someone accustomed to hearing "no." Surprisingly, she didn't take offense at the rejection. Instead, she let out a chuckle, seemingly finding the situation entertaining.

"Then what is your type?" she inquired with an air of indifference.

'The type that isn't mentally unstable, perhaps?' Michael thought, though he kept the comment to himself.

Shrugging slightly, he decided to pivot the conversation.

"I don't believe we've crossed paths before. You don't strike me as a teacher, either," Michael noted, "So why are you telling me all of this?"

He had plenty of other questions, but he chose to stop there. His initial assessment of this fierce beauty was straightforward: she seemed to have a few loose screws, but she was clearly powerful and possessed significant backing.

"Hmm..." She hummed softly, her eyes remaining fixed on Michael. Most people would have been intimidated by such an intense stare, but Michael remained unfazed. He met her gaze directly, his expression a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

"Let's just say I found you more intriguing than my brother's fiancée," she admitted.

"You appear to be a diligent youth who can succeed even without a mentor. Your innate combat instincts aren't half bad. Naturally, you require more polish, but the Saphirelake Military Academy can provide that."

'Is she hunting for some commoner without a background to toy with? Sorry, lady, but I’m not that guy!' Michael thought about saying it, but that would only prolong his interaction with this eccentric woman.

She simply talked too much!

The final examination had already left him mentally drained, and that dream—or whatever vision he had experienced—was weighing heavily on his mind.

'Why are you telling me all of this?'

Michael felt an urge to go home and re-examine the entries in that worn-out book. He hoped to uncover more about his dream or perhaps catch another glimpse into the history of his ancestor.

'Do you even know who you're talking to?' The fierce beauty wanted to ask as she noticed the irritation growing in Michael's eyes, but for once, she held her tongue.

'Why did I even bother talking to him? I shouldn't have suggested he apply to the Saphirelake Military Academy. What if he doesn't even manifest a War Rune? Even if he does, there's no reason for me to personally invite him...'

The woman let out a heavy sigh, unsure of her own motivations. She had only come to the Golden Sun province because her parents forced her to evaluate her younger brother's potential bride. What she had found, however, was a major disappointment.

Jasmine Blade, the woman who might become her sister-in-law, hailed from the famous Blade family of sword masters and was undeniably beautiful. But that was her only merit.

Despite receiving vast resources and training from elite instructors to reach the province's top 5, anyone with a keen eye could see Jasmine hadn't exerted herself during the final exam. She lacked ambition, looking like someone who had been spoon-fed everything required to reach the top without trying.

Was a woman like that really worthy of joining their lineage?

In contrast, the young man standing before her was both a cunning fox and a genuine warrior.

Michael Fang was from a middle-class background. With his parents' whereabouts a mystery and his brother occupied as a Lord of a minor territory in the Origin Expanse, Michael had poured his soul into his studies at the Golden Sun province's most elite school.

Sadly, after taking the top spot in the first exam, he became a target for bullies. His performance plummeted to the bottom of the rankings, barely maintaining passing grades. No one, not even his teacher, expected him to graduate. They were all dead wrong!

He might lack the rank because he didn't have the luxury of the resources his peers enjoyed since childhood, but he was certainly capable of giving the top students a run for their money.

This was what she had gathered after overhearing his teacher badmouthing him in the observation room. Initially, she only intended to observe him and judge his worth.

However, something about him had caught her eye.

Michael excelled at adapting to his surroundings, utilizing what little he had, and striking when the moment was right. His work ethic and patience were flawless—exactly the qualities the military sought.

Watching someone struggle with a fire of ambition in their eyes was far more compelling than watching privileged brats half-heartedly compete with one another.

After considering it for a moment, she gestured with her right hand to bring up a holographic display.

"Give me your contact info. You're free to ignore the invitation if it doesn't interest you. Perhaps I was a bit too forward," the beauty said, trusting her intuition. Her wide grin softened into a small, sincere smile. She dialed back her intensity, realizing her enthusiasm had been overwhelming.

There was no rush to push Michael while his future was still uncertain. She might be wrong about him, though she doubted it.

Michael tilted his head in thought before nodding.

In the age of the Starnet and advanced technology, his contact details weren't exactly a state secret. Handing them to this strange woman didn't seem dangerous.

"By the way, I'm Alice Zenovia," she announced, suddenly grabbing Michael's hand as he reached out.

'She’s a total weirdo...' he thought, though the corners of his mouth twitched into a tiny smile.

"I'm Michael Fang..."

**

The journey home was brief. He hailed a flying shuttle for a five-minute trip through the high-altitude lanes of Laki, the provincial capital.

Laki was a massive metropolis of millions, a city that never slept, filled with packed malls and vibrant dining spots.

Michael's residence was near the city center—a spacious family apartment featuring three bedrooms, a kitchen, two baths, a large parlor, and a cluttered study. In a city like Laki, where real estate costs were enough to cause a headache, such a place was a luxury.

The property was valued in the tens of millions. Luckily, his parents had cleared the mortgage years ago. Although they were never around, they provided a monthly stipend generous enough to cover all costs. A message from them every few months was all Michael really got.

"Is Danny out? Maybe he'll be back tomorrow? No, he's likely tied up with his territory," Michael whispered, seeing his brother wasn't home. He expected nothing from his parents, but his brother's absence felt like a small pang in his chest.

'Time in the Origin Expanse moves differently. It's just a birthday, not a crisis. Stop being so pathetic!' Michael scolded himself. He needed to face reality rather than acting like a coddled child. It was the only way.

Though he wanted to sleep now that he was home, Michael headed into the study instead. The room was packed with books he had already memorized.

In the center stood a heavy wooden desk and chair of an antique style. Michael sat down and pulled the frayed, old book from his bag.

Placing it on the desk, he flipped it open.

He was soon lost in the pages, entering a state of deep concentration as the narrative pulled him in. Time slipped away as he found the text absolutely captivating.

"Yes, there's no doubt... this is exactly what happened in my dream... it's identical..."

It was stunning and, strangely, began to feel logical the more he pondered it. While logic hadn't applied to his morning experience, the world was full of enough mysteries that one more didn't seem to matter.

"How do I go back? If I can learn secrets of the Origin Expanse or our ancestors through these historical fragments that no one else knows, I'll have an edge others can only envy..." Michael whispered to himself.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he failed to notice a figure standing in the doorway.

"Are you still obsessed with the stories of that bastard, Michael?" a familiar, judgmental voice asked.

Michael jumped, his heart racing from the shock as he looked up. A second later, a bright smile appeared on his face.

"Danny, you're back? Why didn't you let me know?" he shouted, instantly forgetting the book.

He stood up and walked toward his brother, smiling warmly.

Daniel Fang was only a few years Michael's senior, but he was rarely home due to the demands of his territory. Recent troubles had forced him to remain in the Origin Expanse much longer than planned.

Danny gave his younger brother’s hair a playful rub, smiling affectionately. He glanced at the ragged book on the desk and shook his head.

"I've never liked that book," he muttered softly before raising his voice. "I always felt like he was the reason for our family's bad luck."

Michael knew his brother's perspective but didn't want to argue. He wasn't going to ruin the moment now that Danny was finally home from the Origin Expanse.

Their family might be plagued by misfortune, but there could be many explanations for that.

Suddenly, Danny’s eyes flashed, and he threw a light punch at Michael’s shoulder. Michael, however, had seen it coming—it was his brother's classic move! The punch missed by a mile.

Michael’s grin grew wider as he saw his brother scowl.

"Tch!"

Danny blurred forward with speed far beyond a normal human's capability. He appeared instantly in front of Michael, hand raised.

*smack*

His palm connected firmly with Michael's head.

"Ow!!"

Michael dropped to the floor, clutching his head in mock agony.

"Stop whining and get down to the training hall. I need to see if you're prepared for tomorrow!" Danny commanded, his tone turning serious.

Michael kept rubbing his forehead but followed the order. There was no point in provoking his brother when he was in that mood.

Danny turned and walked out of the room.

"If I'm not ready by now, I'll never be," Michael whispered. "I've worked myself to the bone for this. There's no way I'm not prepared..."

Michael had done everything possible for the coming day. He would turn 18, and his War Rune would finally manifest.

While not everyone received one, the Fang family was an exception. Ever since the Origin Expanse appeared, every Fang had developed a War Rune upon coming of age. No one knew why, though most assumed it was linked to their first ancestor, the one Danny called a 'bastard'.

Michael took one last look at the tattered book on the desk before turning away.

[Legend of the Calamity]

The book was unique, containing the truth of a story that would have vanished from history if not for its pages.

'Well, whatever.'

He exited the study and pulled the door shut behind him.